Nigerian nationals are among nations facing visa suspensions as President Donald Trump’s government cites security and screening deficiencies.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday December 16, 2025, signed an expanded entry restriction targeting foreign nationals from 24 countries, citing “demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing” that pose risks to U.S. national security and public safety.
The policy, published on the White House website, imposes full suspension on eight countries and partial restrictions on 16 others, affecting immigrant and nonimmigrant visa holders, including B‑1, B‑2, B‑1/B‑2, F, M, and J visa categories.
“Nations about which the United States lacks sufficient information to assess risks cannot have their citizens entering freely,” the proclamation states, emphasizing the move is designed to enforce immigration laws and protect American citizens.
Nigeria is among the countries facing partial restrictions. The White House cited the threat from Boko Haram and the Islamic State, operating in parts of the country, as well as visa overstay rates—5.56% for B‑1/B‑2 visas and 11.90% for F, M, and J visas—as key factors. Consular officers are directed to reduce the validity of other nonimmigrant visas issued to Nigerian nationals where legally permissible.
Read Also: Trump Says Birthright Citizenship Was Meant For ‘Slaves’ Only
Other nations affected by partial restrictions include Angola, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Tonga, and Turkmenistan (with some exceptions). Many of these restrictions are linked to high visa overstay rates, lack of cooperation in repatriating nationals, or citizenship-by-investment programs that complicate vetting.
Eight countries face full entry suspension, including Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Syria, and territories using Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents. The U.S. cited ongoing terrorism, civil unrest, and inadequate documentation or screening infrastructure as reasons for barring entry.
Trump defended the expanded policy as consistent with previous national security measures during his administration. “During my first Administration, I restricted the entry of certain foreign nationals into the United States to prevent national security and public safety threats,” he said, noting that the Supreme Court had upheld prior restrictions.
Analysts say the restrictions reflect a broader U.S. focus on tightening visa security and minimizing overstays, particularly in regions affected by conflict or weak governance.
By continent, affected countries include 14 in Africa, three in Asia, three in the Caribbean/Oceania, and one in the Middle East/Palestinian Territories. While exceptions exist for diplomats and lawful permanent residents, the new measures signal a hardline approach to managing global entry amid rising security concerns.
Africa Daily News, New York
